An importer has accused the Tincan Island Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service of shortchanging the government by suspending the digital Vehicle Registration System (VREG) introduced by the Buhari administration. The importer highlighted that the system, which was meant to assess goods and collect duty, has not been operational since January 2024.
According to the importer, the command has been encouraging agents to alter Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to evade the system, leading to financial losses for honest importers. These manipulations have resulted in delays in job assessment at the port, causing importers to incur demurrage charges that impact the end users.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Tincan Island Customs Area Command denied the suspension of VREG, stating that the system is automated and cannot be suspended. The spokesperson invited individuals with complaints to approach the command’s Public Relations Officer or drop their concerns in the complaint box.
This situation underscores the need for transparency and integrity in the customs processes to prevent financial exploitation and ensure a fair and efficient import system for all stakeholders involved.